On that topic, you have to think Niitty would like to be traded at this point. He has no contract next season, and with his injury history he needs to get in with a new org and prove himself worthy of a contract next season. He's got a much better shot at that elsewhere than sharing time with Greiss and Niemi.

The right thing for Doug to do is move Niitty. He's a good guy, he's been very polite through the whole Niemi surprise and losing his starting rule. I'm confident Doug is going to move him if he can.

I'm not convinced that it'll be Nitty that goes.
DW made the move after Nabby to get Nemo and Nitty (all N's...)
Is there something I'm missing thinking that it might be Greiss that goes?
Sharks do have other prospects in minors for future goaltending, right?

I'm not convinced that it'll be Nitty that goes.
DW made the move after Nabby to get Nemo and Nitty (all N's...)
Is there something I'm missing thinking that it might be Greiss that goes?
Sharks do have other prospects in minors for future goaltending, right?

It wouldn't be wise to rely on a backup with the injury history that Niitty has. What happens if he goes down again and Niemi ends up having to play another 30 straight games because the coaching staff doesn't want to rely on an AHL call up to start.

It wouldn't be wise to rely on a backup with the injury history that Niitty has. What happens if he goes down again and Niemi ends up having to play another 30 straight games because the coaching staff doesn't want to rely on an AHL call up to start.

Right, plus the org signed Greiss on a one way contract through next season (one way next season) with the obvious intention of him playing the backup role. Niitty on the other hand is a UFA at the end of the season, and is eating up $2m in payroll, and injury prone.

Also, Stalock was the only NHL 'ready' goalie we had besides Greiss, and the org has no idea how he will recover after missing a year of playtime. Sateri, Sexsmith, Heemskirk, JP, etc all need more development.

It wouldn't be wise to rely on a backup with the injury history that Niitty has. What happens if he goes down again and Niemi ends up having to play another 30 straight games because the coaching staff doesn't want to rely on an AHL call up to start.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hockeyball

Right, plus the org signed Greiss on a one way contract through next season (one way next season) with the obvious intention of him playing the backup role. Niitty on the other hand is a UFA at the end of the season, and is eating up $2m in payroll, and injury prone.

Also, Stalock was the only NHL 'ready' goalie we had besides Greiss, and the org has no idea how he will recover after missing a year of playtime. Sateri, Sexsmith, Heemskirk, JP, etc all need more development.

But does anybody know when Antero Niittymaki will make his debut in the Sharks uniform?

If he does, it will just be as a showcase against a poor offensive team. So Bluejackets would be my guess. More likely, he proved he was healthy playing in the AHL and the Sharks will not want to risk a new injury prior to trading him. They'll only play him if they have to.

It wouldn't be wise to rely on a backup with the injury history that Niitty has. What happens if he goes down again and Niemi ends up having to play another 30 straight games because the coaching staff doesn't want to rely on an AHL call up to start.

This is the best argument for keeping Greiss and I agree, Niitty's hips / groin are an issue and I'd really hope they don't run Niemi into the ground during the 2nd half of the season again.

With that said, I have no doubt that if Wilson and McLellan believe Niitty gives them the best chance at winning this year, they'll either keep 3 goalies or move Greiss.

Unless it's a deal that is so good SJ would be dumb to not take it there's no chance DW trades Greiss.

I'm sure most fans would much prefer to keep Greiss and move Niitty, me included, but Wilson (and McLellan) has always been about winning and it's pretty apparent to me that McLellan still doesn't have enough trust in Greiss.

I would also think that teams that want goaltending help this year would be much more interested in Niitty seeing as he established and still good if he's healthy.

I didn't say he should be or will be traded, I just wouldn't be totally shocked if he's moved.

I'm sure most fans would much prefer to keep Greiss and move Niitty, me included, but Wilson (and McLellan) has always been about winning and it's pretty apparent to me that McLellan still doesn't have enough trust in Greiss.

I would also think that teams that want goaltending help this year would be much more interested in Niitty seeing as he established and still good if he's healthy.

I didn't say he should be or will be traded, I just wouldn't be totally shocked if he's moved.

Greiss' contract is built entirely about being in SJ next season when Niitty isn't there...nothing has chanced on that front. He's not going anywhere.